Violet's Outfit
"You're going to homecoming tonight. With Big Red and I", I said, showing Ricky the three tickets I had just bought.

"Why? It's just gonna be as depressing as it was last year", Ricky replied.

"Well, it's Big Red's first school dance, so of course he'll want you to come. Also, you need it. I mean seriously, you're in pajama pants. You need to get out and dress up", I said.

"Okay. I need to move on", he said,

"Really? Wow, I'm surprised you agreed that quickly. But I'm excited! Last year, I didn't go, and freshman year I tagged along with you and Nini, which no offense, was not fun. I'll pick you up at 6?", I said.

"I think I can get the car for tonight, so I'm going to be picking you up for once", he replied,shutting his locker door.

"Yay! You owe me, anyway. I'm still gonna pick the music though", I said.

"So, is it gonna be Spring Awakening or Newsies tonight?", he asked me.

"I made a pretty good Disney Channel playlist last night, so be prepared!", I replied.

"Oh yay. More High School Musical", he said, rolling his eyes.

"Actually, probably Cheetah Girls 2. I'm having a moment with that soundtrack at the moment. Anyway, I gotta get to creative writing. See you tonight!", I said, walking away.

The rest of my day went by pretty normally, and I went home straight after school so I'd be ready when Ricky picked me up at 6.

When I was in my room doing my hair, I was on speakerphone with Carlos, and he was filling me in on what he was doing for homecoming.

"So, today I asked Seb out. And he said yes!", Carlos said.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I'm so excited for you. Seb is baby, and you guys are so cute together. Are you doing coordinated outfits?", I asked.

"I don't really know. He asked me to send him a picture of what I was planning to wear, so I guess he'll try to match his outfit to mine. I'm excited, but I don't know if it's gonna work out. Seb's out, but he's not like out out, you know? Like some people know, but he hasn't publicly told lots of people yet", he said.

"You mean like how you came out on Thanksgiving last year with an Instagram story of you dancing to "Closer" by Tegan and Sara while wearing a pride shirt?", I said.

"Exactly. I hope that he said yes because he likes me, and not because he felt like he had to", Carlos said.

"Well, as you said to me before, "he likes you, it's obvious. I mean, do you see the way he looks at you?" I am one thousand percent positive that he feels the same way. I'm so excited for you!", I said.

"Aww, thanks Vi. So, you're going to hoco with Ricky?", he asked.

"...And Big Red...."

"Still. You're going with Ricky, and that's a big step. I mean, you asked, but he was the one who said yes. Besides, Big Red will take the hint if stuff starts to get serious between you and Ricky", Carlos said.

"Yeah, I hope so. Hey, I gotta go now, I'll see you tonight", I said.

"Bye!"

Once I was off the phone, I continued getting ready, and by the time the doorbell rang, I was fully dressed and made up for homecoming.

Violet's Outfit

I rushed down the stairs to open the door, which was kind of hard to do while wearing heels.
"Wow, you look... really pretty, Violet", Ricky said when I opened the door.

"Aww thanks. You look really nice too" I said.

With that, I grabbed my phone and my unfunctional little clutch bag, and Ricky and I went out to the car.

Ricky opened the passenger side door for me, and I got in.

"Hi Vi. You look really pretty", Big Red said from the backseat.

"Thank you! I love your suit", I replied.

"Thanks, it's Ricky's", he said.

I burst out laughing, "Really?", I said turning to Ricky.

"To be fair, that suit is from 7th grade. I haven't worn it since I was 13" Ricky said.

"Okay... sure", I said.

I then plugged my phone into the AUX and started up the Cheetah Girls 2 soundtrack, while both Big Red and Ricky groaned.

After a short drive, we were at school. Once we walked in, we gave our names to Mr Mazara, who was giving people instructions on where to sit and everything, and then we went into the gym and took our photo.

We were seated at a table with the rest of the theater people, which would probably be kind of awkward.

"So, he steals my girlfriend, and then twelve seconds later he dumps her for another girl?", Ricky said, showing me a picture that EJ had just posted on Instagram.

"He's always creeped me out, to be honest. Even when I was a freshman playing a villager in Beauty and The Beast he gave me a bad vibe", I said.

"I'm gonna go get some punch and some cookies. Do you guys want anything?", Big Red asked.

"Yeah, sure. I'll come with you", Ricky said.

While they were gone, Gina and EJ slid into the seats next to me.

"Can you get me some punch, babe?", Gina asked.

"Sure, babe", EJ said, getting up.

I slid over and sat next to Gina.

"Hey. I just wanted to warn you before you got like really deep into a relationship with EJ that he's bad news. He's very possessive, and just overall kind of creepy. I hate to involve myself into your relationship, but I'm kind of worried that he'll try and take advantage of you because you're so much younger than him. You don't have to listen to me if you don't want to, but I just wanted to let you know. I mean, I had experience with him last year. We starred opposite one another in Gypsy, and he was always your typical Nice Guy, super sweet until it became creepy, and very possessive if things didn't go his way. You don't have to listen to me if you don't want to, I just wanted to let you know", I said.

"Okay, umm, thanks", she said, getting up to go to the refreshment table where EJ was.

A few minutes later, I got a text from Big Red, that simply said "Come over here! Shit's going down!". So I immediately got up and went over to where they were.

"Hey, so what's happening?", I asked.

"Gina and EJ are going at it", Ricky said, pointing to where they were.

They were yelling at one another, and than a few seconds later, Gina poured a cup of punch on his head and stormed away.

"I should go out there with her. I think that this is my fault. I shouldn't have said what I just said", i said, rushing off.

"What do you want? Here to gloat?", Gina asked when she saw me.

"No, I'm not. I'm here to apologize. I feel horrible. Did I just ruin your night?", I asked.

"....no. It was already going pretty bad. What you said was all true, and it helped me realize how bad my plan was in the first place", Gina said.

"What was your plan?", I asked.

"It was pretty stupid. The other day, I heard you and Carlos talking in the dressing room about how Ricky told you that he loves you. I thought that I'd tell Nini that, and she and Ricky would both quit the play so EJ and I could get leads. But Nini isn't here, and even if she were, I don't think I'd want to tell her and ruin tonight. Also, you were right about EJ and I don't want to star opposite him anyway", she said.

"Wow, that's a lot. Normally, I'd be mad that you were eavesdropping, but it what Carlos and I were talking about wasn't even that big of a deal. Ricky didn't say "I love you" to me in the same way he would've to Nini. He just meant it in a friendly way", I said.

"Nah, I think he likes you", Gina replied.

"I hope so. Do you have a way to get home?", i asked.

"Nope, actually. Can you give me a ride?", she asked.

"I don't have a car, but we could call an Uber and have them drop you off and than me", I said.

"Okay, that works. Don't you wanna stay here though?", she asked.

"Not really. Tonight is not going how I'd hoped, anyway", I said.
"Okay,then let's go", she said, walking towards the door.

I texted Ricky that I was leaving with Gina, and he replied right back saying that that was fine, and asking if he could come over to my house after the dance.

I texted back yes, and then called our Uber.

I originally hadn't liked Gina that much, but she was actually super nice and I enjoyed her company. It was nice talking to a fellow girl about stuff without worrying about how she'd react, like it sometimes was with Nini. I was glad that I'd gotten to know Gina better.

Author's Note: hi! Sorry for the long delay between chapters, I've had a lot of family stuff happen this week. I had a relative who was hospitalized, I have a relative who's moving, and I had to go to a funeral. Lots of stuff. Anyways, this chapter was kind of a filler, and i promise that the next will have lots of cute Violet and Ricky moments. I decided to focus the homecoming chapter on the friendship between Violet and Gina, just because I love Sofia Wylie and her portrayal of Gina. The next chapter will be up tomorrow or the next day and will focus on what happens when Ricky comes over to Violet's house after the dance.

Lots of love, Beth 💚